$3 million donation establishes Pancreas Centre BC at VGH

On July 9, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation celebrated the dedication of the Jack and Darlene Poole Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer. The Jack & Darlene Poole Foundation donated $3 million to help tackle this major and most under-funded of our health care challenges. VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation would like to thank them, for this significant lead gift, which will establish Pancreas Centre BC at VGH, in partnership with the BC Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia. The Centre will work to improve early detection and treatment, increase survival rates and provide realistic hope for both patients and their families.

Chaired by Dr. Charles Scudamore, Associate Professor of Surgery, VGH, and co-directed by Drs. David Schaeffer (VGH) and Daniel Renouf (BCCA), the Centre now has research infrastructure and staff in place. Research grant applications are being submitted, and a new genomic personalized medicine project is underway. A nurse specialist will also be hired to support patients and families through diagnosis and treatment.

Pancreas Centre BC exists because of the vision of generous donors like Darlene and the late Jack Poole, who believe that research is the key to unlocking the mysteries of pancreatic cancer.